LittleZotz Writinghttp://littlezotz.com
Writing for Businesses. Advice for Writers.Tue, 21 Nov 2017 20:31:32 -0800en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.1http://littlezotz.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/cropped-RobertFace-32x32.pngLittleZotz Writinghttp://littlezotz.com
3232Award-winning writer Lauren Tharp hosts LittleZotz Podcasting, a show about how to successfully transition from writer to freelance writer. With an emphasis on professional blogging, LittleZotz Podcasting focuses on how to successfully freelance with a positive mindset. Tune in as Lauren and other guests in the industry share their best freelancing tips!LittleZotz WritingcleanLittleZotz Writinglittlezotz@gmail.comlittlezotz@gmail.com (LittleZotz Writing)Giving Freelance Blogging a Voice!LittleZotz Writinghttp://littlezotz.com/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/lzp_itunes.pnghttp://littlezotz.com
How to Be a Perfect Guest Writerhttp://littlezotz.com/2017/10/perfect-guest-writer/
http://littlezotz.com/2017/10/perfect-guest-writer/#respondThu, 26 Oct 2017 14:56:20 +0000http://littlezotz.com/?p=1134Imagine for a moment that a friend has invited you over for lunch. When you get to your friend’s house, you not only eat their food, but you take a shower in their bathroom and sleep in their bed. Then,…

When you get to your friend’s house, you not only eat their food, but you take a shower in their bathroom and sleep in their bed. Then, you put their indoor-only cat outside, take their paintings off the walls, sell their car to a man down the street, and smoke a cigar over their baby’s crib.

Is that any way for a lunch guest to behave?

Of course not!

Now imagine that you’ve been asked to be a GUEST writer. Would you walk into the publication like you owned the place?

You’d be surprised how many writers do! In fact, I get hundreds of e-mails every month from writers who do just that.

I’m the Head Editor of Be a Freelance Blogger and 133T, two online publications that depend on guest writers for content. However, despite the extremely clear guidelines on both publications, an overwhelming amount of writers don’t seem to know what guest writing is.

Let’s clear that up once and for all, shall we?

What Guest Writing Actually IS

When you write to a publication to become a guest writer, keep in mind that you’re asking to be their GUEST. You are NOT asking to “move in.” Guest writing is NOT a salaried job — or a JOB of any kind! — and it is in no way a permanent position. You’re stopping by to have a polite “lunch” at the publication.

Publications seeking guest writers are looking for one-time sources of content. They may or may not pay (133T pays, but BAFB doesn’t, for example). It’s a one-off “gig,” NOT a job.

If you’re a very good guest, you MIGHT be invited back for another “lunch” at the publication. As in, you MIGHT be asked to submit another post. But don’t count on it, and certainly don’t EXPECT it. Don’t make any unreasonable demands on your host — you are a GUEST in their “home.” Act like it.

How to Be the Perfect Guest Writer

I’m honestly SO sick of writing about this topic — mostly because it feels like no one actually reads what I’ve written. But I’m going to keep writing about it until my Head Editor inboxes are no longer filled with garbage from so-called writers who have no idea what they’re doing.

I apologize for being a bit harsh, but it’s true! Look at all these articles I’ve written on this very topic:

FOLLOW THE EDITOR’S GUIDELINES!!!

Not joking. I’ve written at least six posts on this topic and EVERY single one has the same advice: Follow the guidelines.

It’s honestly THAT SIMPLE, you guys! That’s ALL it takes to be a wonderful guest writer (aside from actually being a great writer). Just FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES.

If an editor asks you for a PITCH before sending in a draft… then send in a pitch before you send in a draft! Not knowing what pitching is is NOT an excuse. You’re a professional writer. You MUST know what pitching is. (And, if you don’t, refer to this post and LEARN what pitching is).

I know that I’ve been at this a lot longer than some of you. I’ve been freelance writing for sixteen years and counting at this point. But come ON. This is just embarrassing. My Head Editor inboxes are filled with absolute garbage on a daily basis. It’s getting to the point where I dread logging in to read my e-mails because I know I’m going to be wading through pages and pages of trash.

And I’ve only been in a Head Editor role for four years! Imagine how a “seasoned” editor must feel!! Yeah. Pretty crummy, right? NOW you know why it’s so friggin’ hard to get published at “big name” publications! The editors have become horrifically jaded (and with good reason!). It takes someone EXTRA SPECIAL to turn our heads and make us go “Omg! YES!”

On the flip side: Do you know how EASY it is to be “extra special” when everyone else has set the bar SO low? INCREDIBLY EASY!!! All you have to do is have a great/relevant idea, be a decent (not perfect!) writer, and FOLLOW THE EDITOR’S GUIDELINES.

Bam! That’s it. That’s all you have to do! I’m serious.

Take the time to read the editor’s guidelines (and follow them!), and the editor will take the time to read what YOU have written. Guaranteed.

Being a perfect guest writer is NOT hard.

Now, go out there and get published!

Need help finding a publication that pays? I’ve got you covered in that arena too! Download my free e-book, The Writernomicon, for a list of over 100 blogs that pay guest writers $50 or more per post.

]]>http://littlezotz.com/2017/10/perfect-guest-writer/feed/0Write About Any Tough Topic in Two “Easy” Stepshttp://littlezotz.com/2017/10/tough-topics/
http://littlezotz.com/2017/10/tough-topics/#respondFri, 20 Oct 2017 12:51:33 +0000http://littlezotz.com/?p=1121As freelance writers, sometimes we get hired to write about tough topics. I’ve written about mental health issues, domestic violence, rape, and any number of other negative issues. And it can be rough to get through! However, writing about depressing…

As freelance writers, sometimes we get hired to write about tough topics. I’ve written about mental health issues, domestic violence, rape, and any number of other negative issues. And it can be rough to get through!

However, writing about depressing topics doesn’t have to depress you.

If you stay positive, you can write about any topic — and get paid for it! — without having it affect your day-to-day life.

First, Tackle Your Own Issues

I stayed away from rough topics for a long time because I simply couldn’t deal with them. They messed with my head.

You see, my life hasn’t always been super peachy-keen. I’ve had my fair share of abusive relationships (both physical and mental/emotional) and I was raped when I was twenty-two (not the best way to lose your virginity, lemme tell ya!).

Even talking about mental health issues was a struggle for me at first, because I was so close to the topic. I have severe OCD, Major Depression, General Anxiety, and a mild case of PTSD. And talking about mental health — even though I knew it would help others who were struggling similarly — would send me into panic attacks.

In order to talk about rough topics — especially when they hit SO close to home — you have to deal with your own issues first.

Therapy helps. Also having a strong support network of family and friends who you can speak to openly and honestly.

As soon as you start to get a grip on your own traumas, you can better write about them to help other people deal with those situations too!

Or, if you haven’t had any past traumas (lucky you!) then go ahead and skip to step two.

Second, Focus on the Good You’re Doing

The wonderful thing about tackling tough topics is that they almost always help someone in need. And that’s a wonderful feeling.

Instead of focusing on what you’re writing about (the gnarly situations), focus on all the people you’re going to be helping with the information you provide.

I know from experience, that my writing about rough topics does help people. I’ve received countless e-mails from readers telling me that my articles have helped them get through tough situations. I’ve even had a few tell me that my writing stopped them from committing suicide — essentially saving their lives!

You’ll probably never meet the people you help — and not all of them will write to you about it — but they’re out there. Your writing is making a difference.

When you focus on the positive outcome of what you’re writing, rather than the negativity of the topic at hand, it’s really hard to feel terrible during the writing process.

And, if changing the world for the better isn’t enough to keep you positive: you can always focus on the fact that you’re getting paid. It might not be as fluffy feel-good as the other reasons, but money always makes me feel better about the topics I’m writing about lol.

Sometimes, it’s okay to be a little selfish in the name of positivity. For me, knowing that I’m going to have a full fridge to feed myself, my man, and my cat makes me feel a LOT more positive about the writing process. Maybe I’m not as “zen” and free of material needs as I could be, but knowing that I’ll have a full belly after I get paid is great motivation for me to keep going. Food — and other things I can buy — makes me feel happy. And focusing on the fact that I’ll be able to buy those things that give me that happy feeling as soon as I’m done writing keeps me smiling, even when I’m writing about heinous situations.

In short: find something outside of the topic at hand that can keep you going.

Whether you’re helping others, helping yourself, or a mix of both…focus on the positive. You’ll be able to tackle any topic with ease!

]]>http://littlezotz.com/2017/10/tough-topics/feed/0Know the Difference: Pitching, Querying, and LOIshttp://littlezotz.com/2017/10/pitching-querying-lois/
http://littlezotz.com/2017/10/pitching-querying-lois/#respondThu, 19 Oct 2017 23:45:36 +0000http://littlezotz.com/?p=1090This is one of the most important blog posts on this site if you’re serious about freelance writing. Every writer – whether you write fiction or non-fiction – needs to learn how to pitch to editors. Or query them. Or…

This is one of the most important blog posts on this site if you’re serious about freelance writing. Every writer – whether you write fiction or non-fiction – needs to learn how to pitch to editors. Or query them. Or send them a letter of introduction.

So let’s talk a bit about what each of those terms means.

Letter of Introduction (LOI)

This is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It’s a letter in which you introduce yourself to the editor/publication. And…that’s about it. You say who you are and mention that you have an interest in writing for them, but you leave it at that. In my experience, LOIs are much less wanted than they used to be – most editors would rather jump straight to the query/pitch. (Though most modern queries/pitches have elements of a LOI in them).

Query

Traditionally, this is a letter written to an editor/publication regarding whether or not it’s acceptable to send in a pitch. However, recently, the term “query” and “pitch” can be pretty much interchangeable (with the meaning more focused on the latter).

Pitch

This is a letter written to an editor/publication essentially attempting to sell your idea for an article/post/book. You say who you are (the LOI element), and offer up a brief outline of what you intend to write. Most importantly, a pitch should cover why the idea at hand is perfect for the publication you’re writing to. (Editors want to know that their readers are going to be happy with what they’re reading).

The most important thing to remember is to follow the pitching guidelines for whatever publication you’re writing to. If they want a LOI, send them a LOI; if they want a pitch, send them a pitch.

But, in general, you’ll be sending in something that looks a bit like this template:

Though, truth be told, it’s not that hard to write an acceptable pitch. If you’ve got a relevant idea, are polite, and know how to write well — you’ve got a pretty good chance.

In my opinion, it’s almost more important to know what not to do.

How NOT to Get Your Article Published

When you’re a freelance writer looking to get published on blogs or in magazines, the process will generally look like this:

Send in a pitch/query that wows the editor.

Send in your article/guest post.

Get published.

Rejoice.

Or, if things don’t go as well, it might look a bit like this:

Send in a pitch/query that doesn’t wow the editor.

Get rejected.

Think up a better idea.

Try again.

One scenario is more pleasant than the other, but they’re both perfectly normal outcomes. Getting published is part of being a professional writer, but so is rejection.

Unfortunately a lot of writers get rejected for really, really dumb reasons.

Despite What You Might Think, Editors Aren’t Against You!

If you look at the scenarios I’ve listed above, Step One is always the pitch/query. Pitches are extremely important! They’re also where most writers either excel…or get it so, so wrong. And usually they only have themselves to blame.

I’ve been working as the Managing Editor and Community Manager for Be A Freelance Bloggerfor for a few years now. In that time, I have read thousands of pitches. And I have rejected most of them.

Honestly, it’s the worst part of a nearly-perfect job. I don’t relish rejecting writers. On the contrary, I get so extremely happy when I get a great pitch, I will often call out to my roommate in the next room to say “Someone wrote a good one!!” It’s exciting because, as a writer myself, I know how elated the writer on the other side is going to be when I write back and say “This is awesome.”

I want you to succeed.

But I’m still rejecting far too many pitches. I’d like to change that. Hence writing all this.

I’ve gotten permission to share a few of the e-mails I’ve received in my Managing Editor inbox. That’s right: You’re getting a behind-the-scene’s look at a pitching editor’s inbox.

Here are six ways to NOT get published:

6. You Don’t Know What Guest Posting Is

At least once a month I get an e-mail from someone who thinks they’re applying for a job:

E-mails like this make me sad. Because getting a job rejection is much more painful than getting a pitch rejected. And that’s exactly what these people have convinced themselves is happening — they think I’m denying them a job. All because they don’t know what guest posting is.

When you write a guest post, it’s generally understood that it’s going to be a one-time opportunity. You send in a pitch for one article, then (if all goes well) you get one article published. Everyone moves on with their lives.

Want to get published by that same blog again? You’ll have to pitch another article idea.

Sending in a pitch to a blog or magazine in order to get an article published is not the same as applying for a staff writer position.

5. You Make Unreasonable or Unethical Demands

Every once in a while I’ll get a writer who sends in a list of demands with their pitch. Here’s one from last week:

In the case of the person above, they were demanding that I PayPal them money upfront for their guest post draft. This is unreasonable for a couple of reasons:

I don’t own the blog in question; therefore, I’m not the person who pays anyone.

Be A Freelance Blogger only pays for guest posts if the person pitching has won Pitchfest. (A quarterly article-pitching competition held on the blog).

Basically, if you make any upfront demands that go against the guidelines…you’re being unreasonable. Don’t like the guidelines? Pitch elsewhere! It’s that easy.

No, no, no. Let your writing do the talking, not yourmoney. Attempting to bribe an editor is just…sad. And a bit insulting to both of you! You’re insulting yourself by saying “My writing is so terrible, I have to pay people to read/publish it” and you’re insulting the editor by saying “I think you’re so unscrupulous that you’d be willing to take a bribe.”

4. You’re Just SO Confused

If you’ve read my other articles on the pitching process (scroll back up to the links at the top and check ‘em out if you haven’t), you might remember me sharing the importance of addressing your pitch to the correct person. A lot of other writers who discuss the pitching process will tell you the same thing.

Each person working at a magazine or blog has their own specific role. In the case of a pitching editor, the people who write in are supposed to write in with pitches for potential guest posts. But I end up with a lot of e-mails like this one:

In case you didn’t catch what happened there: This person wrote in to me (the pitching editor) to ask if I knew somewhere else he could send a pitch. That’s like walking into a specialty bakery that makes custom wedding cakes, ringing the bell until an attendant comes, and then saying “Hey! You know where I can buy a cheeseburger?”

General questions/comments are fine to ask…just make sure you send them to the right person.

Fortunately for the person above, my other job at BAFB is “Community Manager,” so writing to me with both pitches and general questions is fine. But that’s not usually the case at most blogs & mags. So be careful! Send your e-mails, pitches or otherwise, to the correct department.

And if you’re wondering where to find paying guest blogging opportunities (as the e-mailer above was), then check out The Writernomicon — it’s FREE and it’s awesome.

3. You’re Impatient

This is related to Number Five, but is in a class of its own.

Take a look at this e-mail:

I underlined the date of the e-mail in red so you could better see the problem. This person wrote in on the 10th and then proceeded to write to me several more times until I got the e-mail above on the 13th saying that if I didn’t respond in 24 hours she would be pitching elsewhere. To reiterate, the 10th to the 13th is three days. Not to mention this person wrote in late Friday night…and I don’t work on the weekends!

Here’s the thing: Even if they don’t explicitly state it, it’s going to take time for an editor to respond to you. They get dozens — sometimes hundreds or even thousands! — of e-mails per week from writers just like you. They didn’t forget you. They’re just busy!

Why would you throw away your chance before you’ve even taken it? You aren’t the only e-mail in the inbox. Wait your turn. Unless you’re positive you have a better prospect waiting for you elsewhere, take the time and go through the proper procedure.

Wait at least a week before nudging an editor. And I know that online a day can feel like a week, but that’s why there’s a timestamp on your e-mails. Check the date before you pester anyone.

2. You Throw a Hissy Fit When You’re Rejected

One rejection doesn’t mean you can never pitch again…unless you act like an a$$hole. Don’t burn bridges!!

Here’s an e-mail from a man who thought I’d made a “huge mistake” when I’d rejected him:

Yeah, I had to cut that one short. His full reply spanned several thousand words, in which he brags about his illustrious career and condemns me for being bad at my job. Apparently I’m not open to “fresh” ideas.

The reason I rejected this person was because they pitched a topic that had nothing to do with freelance blogging — BAFB’s chosen niche/topic. The problem wasn’t that his idea was too fresh, it was that it was irrelevant. And when I asked him if he could find a way to make it relevant he was unable to. Thus, I rejected him.

What isn’t great is wasting time insulting an editor when you could be using that time to come up with another pitch.

But, even though that writer threw an ugly hissy fit upon getting rejected (and wouldn’t stop until Sophie, the Head Editor, reprimanded him!), he is still welcome to pitch again. He eventually apologized. His recent string of successes had inflated his ego to the point that he temporarily lost his mind when I rejected him, but, he’s not a bad writer. Should he come up with a relevant topic, I’d be willing to give him a chance!

This guy on the other hand…

Yikes! :O All right, let’s see the e-mail I sent this guy that invoked his wrath:

That’s actually our form rejection letter. I modify it to fit each situation. And, depending on the person I’m replying to, I’ll elaborate a little or a lot. In this person’s case, I chose to keep it short as his initial pitch had given me the impression he didn’t really care if his idea (which was actually more of an advertisement than an actual blog post) was accepted or not. Apparently I was wrong and he cared quite a bit!

Even if we did pay $5,000 per guest post, this man would not be welcomed back. He was downright abusive and, to be frank, the above was the most well-written of his e-mails. And that’s not saying much.

Though I was amused that he mentioned his “respect” for the guidelines since he didn’t follow them at all in his initial pitch! Which brings me to the Number One reason your guest post isn’t getting published:

1. You Didn’t Follow the Pitching Guidelines

I’ve mentioned this in every article I’ve ever written about the pitching process. BECAUSE IT’S IMPORTANT!

Every blog and every magazine that accepts contributions from freelance writers has their own set of guidelines they expect you to follow. And it would be in your best interest to do just that. Why? Well, think of it this way:

The editor has taken the time to write out their guidelines. If you haven’t taken the time to read what the editor’s written, why should the editor take the time to read what you have written?

Writers who aren’t willing to read completely baffle me. Especially when it comes to reading things like contracts or contributor guidelines!

By following the editor’s preferred procedure, you’re showing that you respect them and their publication right off the bat. From your first initial contact, you’re showing that you’re a professional and you know what’s up.

This is a situation where hundreds of writers are all competing for the same publication slots. First impressions mean everything! If an editor has to choose between a writer who followed the guidelines and one who didn’t, they’ll most likely choose the one who did. Why? Because that writer has already proven that they’re going to be easier to work with (because they’ve shown, at least in part, that they know how the editor likes to work).

Getting published is difficult, but there are three things that will increase your chances exponentially:

Follow the pitching guidelines.

Have a great (relevant!) topic idea that the editor can’t pass up.

Know how to write. (You don’t have to master the English language — plenty of ESL writers get published! — but you do have to know how to string a sentence together).

]]>http://littlezotz.com/2017/10/pitching-querying-lois/feed/0Yours FREE! The Writernomicon: 50+ Blogs That Pay $50 or More for Guest Postshttp://littlezotz.com/2017/07/the-writernomicon/
http://littlezotz.com/2017/07/the-writernomicon/#respondMon, 31 Jul 2017 10:20:27 +0000http://littlezotz.com/?p=1057The Writernomicon is a list of 50+ publications that pay writers $50 USD or more for writing blog posts as guest writers. Why Writernomicon? Well, clearly, it’s based on the classic Necronomicon by H.P. Lovecraft. Even the cover design –…

The Writernomicon is a list of 50+ publications that pay writers $50 USD or more for writing blog posts as guest writers.

Why Writernomicon?

Well, clearly, it’s based on the classic Necronomicon by H.P. Lovecraft. Even the cover design – by the talented Ramiro Roman – harkens back to potential designs for that fictional tome. And that makes me laugh. And things that make me laugh are awesome, and; therefore, worthy of publication.

However, the “nomicon” suffix that Lovecraft used, once translated as “Book of Names,” seemed fitting for this book as well – since it’s essentially a list of publishers’ names. A book of names…for writers. Writernomicon.

The way you use this “mystical” e-book is entirely up to you. Personally, I like to look up a publisher that seems interesting and then pitch them an article idea. But you could also think of an article idea first and then look up which publisher seems like a good home for it. Up to you!

Need Help Using This Book?

Do you need help using The Writernomicon to your advantage? Are you wondering how to write the perfect pitch? Or how to create your freelance blogging website?

I now have a class up on SkillShare that covers everything you need to know to get started as a freelance blogger — and it’s only $10! (Normally a mentoring session with me costs $97/hour, so that’s quite a deal!).

]]>http://littlezotz.com/2017/07/the-writernomicon/feed/0EXACTLY What It Takes to Be a Managing Editorhttp://littlezotz.com/2017/03/managing-editor-duties/
http://littlezotz.com/2017/03/managing-editor-duties/#commentsMon, 13 Mar 2017 02:16:58 +0000http://littlezotz.com/?p=1044Last week, I asked you, the readers, what you’d like me to write about next. The response I got most often was “What are the duties of a Managing Editor?” That’s a great choice! But, boy – this is going…

Last week, I asked you, the readers, what you’d like me to write about next. The response I got most often was “What are the duties of a Managing Editor?”

That’s a great choice! But, boy – this is going to be a LONG post.

I’m the Managing Editor of both a news site and Be a Freelance Blogger. So I have some personal experience in this particular area. I’ve also seen the Managing Editors of the publications I’ve written for in action.

The basic duties of a Managing Editor in today’s online world boil down to this:

Accepting and rejecting pitches. Some publications hire a separate Pitching Editor for these duties but, most of the time, they fall onto the shoulders of the ME.

Editing writers’ posts. As a Managing Editor, you’ll not only be looking for typos and grammatical errors in the posts you intend to publish, you’ll also be making minor rewrites to get the “tone” of the overall article correct, and you’ll also be keeping an eye out for a Call to Action (CTA) at the end so that the post’s final goal is fulfilled (getting shared/getting comments/selling something/whatever).

Uploading and formatting posts. It’s your job to make the posts look pretty before they’re published. This means adding in headers, enhancing certain sentences, adding in a photo or video, etc.

Writing posts yourself. As a Managing Editor you’ll often be called upon to write certain posts yourself. Generally, when something needs to be done RIGHT – and is “too hard” for your stable of writers – you’ll have to take on the task of writing the post yourself. Or, if you’re a publication that accepts guest posts and your buffer has run dry, it could be up to you to fill in the gap in the schedule. So don’t think your writing skills are going to go to waste just because you’re an editor now!

Maintaining a uniform social media presence. Again, some publications hire a separate person to take on the duties of updating the publication’s social media accounts. But, as the Managing Editor, it’ll be your duty – if not to write the updates yourself – to at least take a peek at what’s being written to make sure it’s “on target” with the publication’s overall branding/message. You may also have to edit copy before it’s sent out.

Okay, now that we’ve gotten the “basics” out of the way, I’m going to share some helpful tips to get all you aspiring Managing Editors out there on the path to success!

You Have to Keep Organized

I’ll admit it: Having severe OCD has actually been helpful for me in this regard. I’m ALL about labeling things and putting items in their proper place. And, while those traits are sometimes a nuisance to my roommates in my personal life, they’re invaluable in my role as a Managing Editor.

MEs absolutely MUST stay organized.

If you’re working for a smaller publication, or are simply looking for a way to keep your self-run blog updating consistently, then you can sometimes get away with loading all of the posts into the WordPress backend and scheduling them from there. You can use an online or physical calendar to help you keep track of what’s going out when.

Trello has the ability to set up multiple boards in order to keep track of pitches, drafts, finished posts, scheduled posts, etc. And it also allows you to tag the people you work with (like writers), and add colorful labels to distinguish certain aspects of the publishing process.

It sounds horrendously complicated, but, I promise, you get used to it quickly. At the time of this writing, Trello is built to be fairly intuitive and utilizes a simple drag-and-drop system that allows you to shift from phase-to-phase with ease.

Don’t Expect It to Be Easy

A lot of writers foolishly assume that the role of an editor is much “easier” than their own. After all, the posts are already written, so how hard could it be, right?

I’ll tell it to you straight: Most writers do NOT proofread – at all!

Out of the thousands of posts I’ve had my Managing Editor eyes on, only two or three of them were free of typos. Even the BEST writers in the business slip up – and it’s YOUR job to catch those slip ups before they hit the eyes of your readers.

Being an editor is HARD work, no bones about it.

In addition to there always being tiny typos, some writers just aren’t what you expected them to be…

Many writers will (somehow) make it past the pitching process, but then turn in a “final draft” that’s almost completely crap.

If you’re lucky, you’ll be in a position where you can tell said writer to “take a hike” and then move onto the next writer who actually CAN perform well. But, in some cases, you’ll be on a rushed deadline and you’ll have to make do with what you’ve been given.

In these cases, extensive rewriting may be in order to “save” the post before it gets published. Not only will you have to edit out typos and grammatical errors, you may have to add in paragraphs of your own to get the overall “tone” right.

To make matters worse, by the time YOU get a “finished” post, your publication deadline is nearer than ever before! While the writers were frittering their time away to produce something nearly unusable, your schedule has been flying by. So you’ll likely have to work QUICKLY as well as efficiently to get what’s been written ready for your audience.

Your Eyes WILL Hurt

Aching eyeballs are just a fact of life for Managing Editors.

Even if you’re careful to take breaks, the sheer number of things you have to read on your brightly-lit computer screen will eventually catch up to you and cause your eyes to burn.

There are little tricks you can use to stave off the pain – like enlarging the text you’re reading, or looking at it in different formats – but eventually it always catches up to you.

Speed is Good, But…

…accuracy is better.

If you’re a perfectionist, then the Managing Editor title might be a good one for you to don.

Although speed is highly-valued, especially since you’re working with tight deadlines, accuracy is ultimately the most important goal.

Speed won’t do ANYONE any good if the post you’re rushing to publish is utter garbage.

For example, if one of your writers types something ridiculous like “Honduras is part of Mexico” and you let it slip by you and get published… Well, you’re going to have a lot of upset people pounding on your virtual doors!

Make sure you PAY ATTENTION while you’re reading – and fact-check any outrageous claims made by your writers!

It’s Not JUST Typos

I alluded to this a few times earlier, but it deserves its own special place on this list, just to drive it thoroughly into your brain.

As a Managing Editor, you won’t “just” be looking for typos (and, believe me, there are ALWAYS typos). You’ll also be looking for grammar mistakes, tonal errors, and the placement of a CTA at the end of each post.

In addition to that, you’ll also be in charge of making sure that cited sources are accurate, and reputable.

You’ll also have to keep “readability” in mind, breaking up overly-large paragraphs into smaller ones so that you don’t strain your audience’s eyes or lose their attention.

Get to Know Your Writers

If you’re the ME of a publication that accepts guest posts from random writers, this can be a bit tricky. However, if you work for a large publication that has a “stable” of steady writers… get to know them!

Most importantly, you should be assessing their strengths and weaknesses so you know who to assign which story to. (Side note: handing out stories to the “staff” writers is also part of a Managing Editor’s duties).

And, to improve overall morale, you should get to know them on a personal basis as well. That way they know you’re an actual PERSON, and not just some evil entity that complains about typos all day long.

Many larger publications will set up a Slack, HipChat, or group Skype chat in order to socialize and let everyone get to know each other better.

Yep: Socializing is part of the job description.

Even if you work at a smaller publication that doesn’t have a “stable” of writers, you’ll still have to interact with guest writers via e-mail. Being a wallflower who stands aside and talks to no one is NOT an option when you’re an ME.

Good Sources and Images are Important

There are plenty of places where you can pay to get great images. And, most of the time, the company will set you up with an account so that you don’t have to shell that money out of your own pocket.

There are also some great free places to find images, if your publication has a smaller budget. My favorite is pixabay.

Citing sources can be a bit trickier.

For example, citing a Facebook post in a news article is NOT going to fly. So, if your writer has made this error, you’re going to have to go through and do a little research work. Keep clicking and clicking until you find the ORIGINAL source of the story.

You’re basically in charge of your publication’s reputation as being a reliable source of information. Make the extra effort to make sure any cited sites are up-to-par.

You Have to Write Too!

Just because you’re a Managing Editor now is no excuse to let your writing skills atrophy.

Like I stated at the beginning of this post, there will be several occurrences where you’ll have to step in and do some writing yourself.

The good news is, since you know your publication inside and out, your writing tasks will generally be easier than anyone else’s. Since you already have a grasp of the overall tone, and know where to place the CTA, you can zip through your articles with ease.

The hard part is having to edit your own work.

I don’t know why this is true, but it is: It’s much, much harder to spot typos in your own work than it is to spot them in someone else’s. But, as the Managing Editor, it’s your duty to make sure even YOUR pieces are PERFECT before getting published.

Choosing a writing partner isn’t easy. I’d had failed attempts at collaborations in the past. There were projects that never quite got off the ground, projects that started and then collapsed, and even projects that were finished but never actually published. It was pretty frustrating!

However, after teaming up with two wonderful writing partners, I think I’ve finally got the magic formula for what it takes to succeed.

If you’re looking to partner up with another writer, keep these six elements in mind:

1. Choose Someone Who Can Write

This might seem obvious, but I have to state it anyway.

We all have friends who consider themselves to be writers…but not all of them are actually good at writing. You have to be able to look at a potential partner’s skills and be able to make that tough call: are they really a writer?

Don’t choose someone who wrote a book-length fan fiction in the eighth grade and continues to “dabble” in writing every once in a while. For a true writing partnership to work, they have to be a writer; and they have to be good at it. Or at least good enough to produce something workable (if you prefer to take on an editing role in your relationship).

2. Choose a (Sensible) Friend

It’s great if you can choose a writing partner who’s also a friend of yours. But make sure you choose a sensible writing friend.

I have several writing buddies, but not all of them are sensibly-minded. Many of them would prefer writing get-togethers to be ¼ writing and ¾ goofing around. And that’s a lot of fun, but it’s not great for productivity.

When I get together with Samar or Monique, we know we’re getting together to work. They’re both sensible, business-minded women who know when and where it’s appropriate to goof off. Yes, we have good times together – but not when we’re supposed to be writing/working.

Choose a friend who knows that you still love them, even when your head is buried in your (joint) work instead of talking to them about the latest episode of Gotham.

3. Choose Someone Who Believes in the Mission

If you propose a writing project to someone and their response isn’t “I freakin’ LOVE that idea,” then move onto the next person who will.

If you and your partner don’t fully believe in the project, then it’s not going to work out. Trust me on this – I know from experience.

To truly support each other, you both need to love and believe in the project you’re working on together. If one or the other of you has doubts, the other partner is going to suffer because of it. It leads to one partner, filled with belief, taking on the bulk of the workload, while the other partner, who’s kinda “meh” about the idea, just along for the ride. And that’s no fun for anyone.

4. Choose Someone Who’s Strong Where You’re Weak

This means acknowledging your weaknesses and being able to take constructive criticism. Which is why I suggested choosing someone you’re on friendly terms with. It’s much easier to accept when a friend tells you “you’re kind of weak in this area” than it is to have a total stranger give you that same critique.

This also makes it easier to divide up the work 50/50.

Don’t be afraid to assess each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Choose to work on the parts of the project where you know your work will truly shine, and make the project better. And have the strength of character to admit where you’re weak, and let your partner take on those tasks.

Remember: one of the reasons you’re partnering up in the first place is so you don’t have to do everything on your own! Let your partner’s skills have the chance to sparkle too!

5. Choose Someone with a Similar “Voice”

In addition to being a great writer, you’ll need to find someone who has a similar writing “voice” to yours, in order for your writing styles to mesh well and create a cohesive final project. A lot can be tweaked in the editing process, of course; but if your writing styles are too different, the finished work will be a mish-mashed mess, no matter how “good” the writing is therein.

For example, one of my best writing friends, Anca Dumitru, is a friggin’ brilliant writer. However, her writing style is much different than mine. Which is why we’ve never teamed up. Her writing style is very serious and “newsy” whereas my writing tends to be a bit more casual and goofy (like Samar and Monique).

6. Choose Someone Who Has the Time

Sometimes you find the “perfect” writing partner, but they just don’t have the time to work with you…

In this case, you can do two things:

Find someone else.

Wait until they do have time.

Working together on a project takes up a lot of time – on the part of both parties involved. Make sure that both you and your partner have that time to spare to work together. If either of you doesn’t have the time, then the project isn’t going to get very far.

And there you have it! The six elements you need in order to create a perfect freelance writing partnership.

Have you ever partnered up with a fellow writer? How’d it go? Let me know in the comments!

]]>http://littlezotz.com/2017/02/writing-partner/feed/0The Six Pages Every Freelance Writing Website Needshttp://littlezotz.com/2017/02/freelance-writing-website/
http://littlezotz.com/2017/02/freelance-writing-website/#commentsThu, 09 Feb 2017 17:25:14 +0000http://littlezotz.com/?p=1022There are six pages every freelance writer’s website must have to succeed: Home About Writing Services Contact Writing Samples Testimonials You can add other pages – or a blog! – as you want/need them; however, those are the six you…

There are six pages every freelance writer’s website must have to succeed:

Home

About

Writing Services

Contact

Writing Samples

Testimonials

You can add other pages – or a blog! – as you want/need them; however, those are the six you must have on your site.

The first four are pages you should put up as soon as you get your site. The last two can be added on as soon as you get them (not every writer starts out with writing samples or testimonials right off the bat).

Blogs are optional. Not every freelance writer’s website needs a blog. Only create one if you absolutely truly want one and plan to update it consistently. The only writers who have to have a blog on their site are those interested in becoming freelance bloggers. If your niche lies elsewhere – like copywriting, for example – don’t pressure yourself into getting a blog. You don’t have to have one.

Now, let’s take a look at those pages…

Home

Your Home page is like your About page, but it should convey what your site is about overall, not just about you. It can – and should – be short.

Make your Home page as concise as possible and direct your visitors where you want them to go (like to your Services or About page).

About

Your About page is about you, but it’s about a very special part of “you” – the business part of you.

Everything that you say about yourself should actually be, subtly, about your target audience. Show off the aspects of you that would be helpful to them.

All writers “love writing.” Potential clients don’t care if you love writing – they want to know that you can and will help them with their needs.

If you include fun facts about yourself in an effort to make yourself stand out or show off a bit of your personality, they should be facts related to your preferred writing niche. If you love dogs and have a background in training therapy dogs, then that’s great!…If you’re looking to write articles about dogs or therapy tactics. If not, then it’s not relevant to your business’ About page and should be saved for your personal site (if you have one).

Writing Services

Get as specific as possible with this page. Writing vague statements like “I create unique online content” won’t help you or your client.

My services page outlines my four most popular services, detailing what type of clients would need said services, and shares how I can help. If the services you offer are fairly simple to understand, then this is a good approach. Sometimes you only need a few well-crafted sentences to convey exactly what it is you do – and for who.

Whether or not you include your rates along with your services is up to you. There are good arguments on both sides. Don’t be afraid to make changes, as needed. Try posting your rates on your services page, and if it doesn’t draw in the clients you desire – or causes unwanted complications – then you can always remove them later. Or vice-versa.

Contact

Make your Contact page one of the main tabs on your navigation bar. Don’t hide it.

Using a contact form can be nice. It makes things easy for both you and your potential clients. I like Contact Form 7 for WordPress sites.

However, contact forms, no matter how great, can sometimes mess up. Or, some people just don’t like using them (for whatever reason). So it’s also a good idea to write out your preferred e-mail address on your contact page for people to use.

And don’t forget your social media accounts, if you actively use them! Make yourself as easy to contact as possible, giving potential clients multiple ways to get in touch with you.

Writing Samples

As soon as you have some writing samples under your belt, create a Writing Samples page!

Although I offer other services besides blogging, I’ve chosen to focus solely on my blogging samples because that’s the work I most enjoy and hope to receive more of. As you get more established, this is something you might want to keep in mind. Whatever samples you display of your work is going to attract the same type of clients as the work you did previously. Make sure you share work you actually enjoyed doing, or you may end up getting a flow of clients asking for you to repeat projects/genres you hated working on. (I absolutely can – and have! – written about the benefits of forklifts, but I didn’t enjoy doing so, so I don’t feature that work as a sample so as not to be asked to write about them again!).

Show off the work you’re most proud of, and most enjoyed doing.

Make your Writing Samples page your own. Whether you choose to display them as a list, or add some flair with pictures, is completely up to you.

Testimonials

You can never have too many testimonials! But try to keep your best testimonials – from your highest-paying or most-enjoyed services – toward the top.

Testimonials are your social proof that you actually know what you’re doing. They show the world that you really can do what you claim you can do. That other people have tried your services and walked away pleased.

And there you have it! The six pages you need to succeed on your freelance writing website.

As you get more established, you might want to add in other pages for mentoring, a podcast, books/products, or whatever. But those are the six basic pages that every freelance writer should have in order to set off on the right foot.

Need More Help Getting Started as a Freelancer?

Setting up your own freelance writing website is a vital part of having a successful freelance writing career, but it’s not the only thing you’ll need to succeed.

You’ll also have to think about contracts, invoices, and administrative tasks. Not to mention pitching, managing clients, and a host of other activities!

Luckily, Samar Owais of Freelance Flyer and I have combined our 20+ years of freelancing knowledge in order to create The Real Freelancer’s Resource Vault: a collection of freelancing tools, templates, business documents, and e-mail scripts to help you establish and grow your freelance business.

It’s everything you need to get started as a successful freelance writer, all in one convenient spot!

]]>http://littlezotz.com/2017/02/freelance-writing-website/feed/3How to Win Writing Awardshttp://littlezotz.com/2017/01/how-to-win-writing-awards/
http://littlezotz.com/2017/01/how-to-win-writing-awards/#respondWed, 25 Jan 2017 18:01:29 +0000http://littlezotz.com/?p=1018All right. This is going to be a difficult post to write without seeming like a Self-Congratulatory Braggy Braggart, but I’m going to attempt it anyway since a few of you have asked me about it… I’ve won multiple writing…

All right. This is going to be a difficult post to write without seeming like a Self-Congratulatory Braggy Braggart, but I’m going to attempt it anyway since a few of you have asked me about it…

I’ve won multiple writing awards over the past few years. You can see them displayed on the right-hand side of this blog post in the sidebar, if you’re interested in which ones.

Some of you are interested in winning awards too. And I can’t blame you! Not only are they a lot of fun, they also add prestige to your business and can help get you more gigs from better clients. They’re a great thing to have.

I can’t claim to know all the “secrets” to winning (I wish!), but here’s what I do know…

If You Want One: Ask!

If you see that an award is being given out and the award-giver is asking for nominations, ask your readers to vote for you. Don’t be shy!

Remind your readers of the great content you’ve produced for them and ask them to nominate you if they enjoyed reading it. Not everyone will take the time to vote, but, if you’re lucky, enough of them will.

Create Great Content

Focus on quality over quantity. Don’t have a bare writing blog, by any means, but make sure what you do write is top-notch.

I was unsure whether I’d be winning any awards this year because, last year, I didn’t produce as much content as I had in previous years. I was wrong. My readers and those handing out awards took quality into account. It didn’t matter that I didn’t have hundreds of new blog posts — what mattered to them was that the information I did provide was good. (And that’s lovely, I think!).

Stick to One Topic

One thing I do know is that awards are given to blogs with a focus. In my case, my focus is on freelance writing and blogging. I never deviate from those topics. And, therefore, I’m a good contender when the “Best Writing Blogs” award season comes around.

However, writing blogs aren’t the only ones who give out awards. If you write about animal welfare, you could have a chance to win an award in that genre as well — so long as you stick to your topic.

My personal blog, as fun as it is, is likely never going to win any awards. I talk about too many different subjects (mostly related to my personal life). I talk about mental health, vaping, doll collecting, cats, you name it. It’s very scattered and unfocused! And that’s not award-winning material.

Keep Trying!

LittleZotz Writing had been around for several years before it started winning awards. I didn’t win anything straight out of the gate (I was lucky to have even a few readers!).

Your writing might be award-caliber material, but you’ll have to work hard to get noticed first. So keep writing and keep sharing your content. Focus on building up your readership!

Writing guest posts is also a great way to draw in readers who might not have found you otherwise. It’s not enough to rely on people Googling your work and just happening to stumble onto it. You have to work hard to get yourself “out there.”

Anyway, I hope this helps! And big thanks to all of YOU who continue to vote for me each year during Awards’ Season. I hope to see some of your beautiful faces on the lists next year!!

]]>http://littlezotz.com/2017/01/how-to-win-writing-awards/feed/0What to Do When You Lose Your Best Clienthttp://littlezotz.com/2017/01/job-hunting-tips/
http://littlezotz.com/2017/01/job-hunting-tips/#respondWed, 11 Jan 2017 13:54:36 +0000http://littlezotz.com/?p=1009The day before my 32nd birthday last week, I lost my best blogging client due to major layoffs at their company. Normally, I’d keep that fact to myself (it’s generally a good idea not to let anyone know that you’re…

The day before my 32nd birthday last week, I lost my best blogging client due to major layoffs at their company. Normally, I’d keep that fact to myself (it’s generally a good idea not to let anyone know that you’re essentially “jobless”); however, I wanted to write a blog post about this predicament to help others (like you!) and knowing that I’ve “been there” — and so recently! — might be of comfort to some people who view me as such a phenomenal success.

And, I am a success, by all rights. But, that doesn’t mean I don’t struggle from time to time, just like you. It’s not uncommon for me to have to go job hunting. Contracts eventually come to an end. Or, companies have layoffs, and freelancers are always the first to go. That’s just how it is when you’re a freelance writer, “successful” or not!

So what exactly do you do when this happens? Well…

1. Update Your Information

Hopefully, you’ve been keeping your writing portfolio and LinkedIn profile up-to-date this entire time. That way, no one will notice anything’s “wrong” or “different” when you lose your job.

Whenever I see someone whose been inactive on social media for a long time suddenly pop up and start updating everything, I can tell that they’ve lost their job and are desperate for a new one. And desperation gives off a certain “stink” that’s unattractive. That’s why I always encourage my fellow writers to stay on top of these things, even when they’re busy.

But, if you haven’t been staying on top of those things this entire time: it’s okay. Just do what you can and try not to seem too desperate. Don’t beg for work. Just make normal updates. And spruce up anything that you’d formerly neglected.

This is also a good time to ask former clients for testimonials, if you haven’t already. Social proof of how great you are goes a long way toward getting new clients to consider you. Put those on your website!

2. E-mail Your Network

Again: don’t beg anyone for work.

Simply let your writer friends, former clients, and anyone else you think could help you know that you have a gap in your schedule and that you’re on the prowl for a new client.

For former clients, you could ask them if they need your help again (or know anyone who does). For current clients, you could tell them you have some free time and ask them if they need any additional help.

Writer buddies are especially good to tell about your predicament because they understand what you’re going though, as they’ve likely been in the same situation themselves. They’ll empathize. Plus, fellow freelance writers generally have a better grasp over what it is you actually do and can make recommendations more well-suited to your needs.

3. Hit the Job Boards

Man, I hate hitting the job boards. But they really do help.

Most of my clients come to me through my website or as referrals. However, there are times when I can’t simply sit around waiting for someone to fall into my lap — and that’s when job boards are a blessing.

Make a little time each day to scroll through the job boards to see if any new jobs have been added. I like to check once in the morning and once in the evening. That way, as soon as anything that looks good has been added, I can pounce on it immediately. Being the first — or near first — to contact a prospective client/business goes a long way toward getting the job.

4. Stay Positive!

Losing a job, especially one you really liked, can be a huge disappointment. But try not to let it get to you.

As long as you’re still making enough money to have a roof over your head and food in your belly, there’s no need to panic. You might not be able to do anything fun for a while (go to the movies, get a fresh haircut, etc.), but so long as the essentials are taken care of, you’ll be fine. Just make do with what you have and live a frugal lifestyle for a while.

Not only is maintaining a positive attitude better for your overall health, it’s also very attractive. Believe it or not, most humans prefer being around positive people. And that includes prospective clients!

Face each day with optimism and the belief that you will find another job.

After all, you’ve probably been through this before, right? And you survived that time! So you’ll survive this time too. Trust me.

Everything that’s ever been written — from blogs to billboards — was written by a writer, just like you. There are plenty of writing jobs available. New things need to be written every day. Just get yourself out there and KEEP TRYING. You’ll find something.

In the meantime, try to enjoy the fact that you have a little extra free time on your hands. You can use that time to work on some of your other goals, or simply catch up on the chores you’d been putting off back when you were “too busy” to tackle them (I did a MASSIVE amount of laundry the day I lost my job).

]]>http://littlezotz.com/2017/01/job-hunting-tips/feed/0The Real Freelancer is LIVE!http://littlezotz.com/2016/12/the-real-freelancer/
http://littlezotz.com/2016/12/the-real-freelancer/#respondWed, 28 Dec 2016 09:24:20 +0000http://littlezotz.com/?p=1003Samar Owais of Freelance Flyer and I have teamed up to create The Real Freelancer, a website for ALL of your newbie freelancer needs. We’re very excited! 😀 Our first resource is The Real Freelancer’s Resource Vault! The Vault has…

The Vault has everything a freelancer needs in the first year of business – if not the first month.

From templates and checklists to workbooks, track sheets, and sample documents, the vault has you covered.

All-in-All, you get 14 tools and resources to help your freelance business grow and flourish.

Freelance Business Planner – No business is successful without planning. The Freelance Business Planner gives you a place to record your monthly and yearly plans.

Potential Client Profile – If you don’t know who your ideal client is, this workbook will give you the answer you need.

Writing Niche Questionnaire – Zero in on what topics you can write about. Figure this out and proudly stand out in the crowd. Before you know it, you’ll have clients knocking on your door.

Admin Tasks Checklist – A list of all the tasks you need to take care of in order to run a well-organized business. From email, scheduling, social media to accounts and billing – we’ve got you covered.

Finding Clients Checklist – For times when you need to find work NOW!

Client Onboarding Document Template – Drastically increase your chances of landing prospective clients. Make a great first impression by giving clients all the information they need.

Email Templates – So you’re never lost for words in new or tricky business situations.

Prospective Client Tracksheet – Because cold emailing doesn’t yield the results you need. Turn prospective clients into warm leads with this track sheet so when you pitch them your services, they say “Yes!”

Income and Expense Tracksheet – Recording your finances doesn’t need to be hard or confusing simply because you can’t afford a fancy service or tool.